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        Arimaa >> Bot Development >> Trap dance and board setup
        
(Message started by: leo on Dec 7^th, 2007, 12:10am)

Title: Trap dance and board setup
Post by leo on Dec 7^th, 2007, 12:10am

I don't know what to call these ring dances that often happen around the traps during early incursions, like when an elephant is hunting a camel which runs to hide behind cats and dogs.

I'm wondering if board setups can significantly prevent these trap dances, and more generally how bots playing silver could elaborate their setup to react to gold's setup.

I guess most players go into a lot of subconscious thinking when reacting to an unusual setup. Tricky...

Title: Re: Trap dance and board setup
Post by Fritzlein on Dec 8^th, 2007, 9:46am

I wouldn't worry too much about board setup right now. Given that we can beat any bot using the worst piece setup conceivable, bots have bigger fish to fry. The setup just isn't the issue.

Any good chess teacher will tell you to learn about chess openings last, only after understanding the fundamentals of the game. Likewise, as "teacher" of your bot, you should focus on fundamentals first and openings only after you have made a great deal of progress.

Title: Re: Trap dance and board setup
Post by leo on Dec 8^th, 2007, 11:48pm

Thanks for this good advice, Fritzlein. I'll keep board setup for later, although I'm sure it will linger in all corners of my mind as I'm donquixotescally attracted by impossible challenges.

I'd be interested in viewing some of the "worst setup games". If they're not referenced on the site or the wiki I'll try to fish them with an archive-skimming script.

Title: Re: Trap dance and board setup
Post by Fritzlein on Dec 9^th, 2007, 10:40am

We talked a little about the what would be the worst possible setup here:

http://arimaa.com/arimaa/forum/cgi/YaBB.cgi?board=talk;action=display;num=1145994407

I guess it is still an open question whether "all pieces back" or "all pieces left" is worse.

Title: Re: Trap dance and board setup
Post by leo on Dec 19^th, 2007, 6:41pm

Thanks :) I'll dig into the game archive. I also just started a postal game with a weird setup by error, mislead by the piece order of the new flash client :P I'll experience setup handicap in first person view...